Banko, Ana (35774145100)Ana (35774145100)BankoMiljanovic, Danijela (57403944300)Danijela (57403944300)MiljanovicLazarevic, Ivana (23485928400)Ivana (23485928400)LazarevicJeremic, Ivica (36016708800)Ivica (36016708800)JeremicDespotovic, Aleksa (57000516000)Aleksa (57000516000)DespotovicGrk, Milka (57208632180)Milka (57208632180)GrkCirkovic, Andja (56120460600)Andja (56120460600)Cirkovic2025-07-022025-07-022022https://doi.org/10.3390/v14010115https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85122453535&doi=10.3390%2fv14010115&partnerID=40&md5=6b2822e71d4562c2f9c47373da4c9be8https://remedy.med.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/12216Development of lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs) is one of the well-known life-threatening complications in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. However, there is a lack of definitive conclusions regarding the role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activity in RA initiation and progression, especially in promoting LPDs. A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that reported an EBV positive result in RA-LPD patients and controls were conducted. Studies published before 27 July 2021 were identified through PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS. A total of 79 articles were included in the systematic review. The prevalence of EBV positive result among RA-LPD patients was 54% (OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.45–1.64). There was a statistically significant association between EBV presence and LPD susceptibility in RA patients in comparison with all controls (OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.29–2.73) and in comparison with LPD patients only (OR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.15–3.19). This association was not shown in comparison with patients with autoimmune diseases other than RA who developed LPD (OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.30–2.09). This meta-analysis confirmed a high prevalence of EBV in the RA-LPD population. Furthermore, it provides evidence for the association between EBV presence and LPD susceptibility in RA patients, but not in those with other autoimmune diseases who developed LPD. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.EBVLymphomaLymphoproliferative disordersMeta-analysisRheumatoid arthritis